The man who guided New York through the atrocities of September 11, former mayor Rudolph Giuliani, was receiving an honorary knighthood today.

In the aftermath of the terrorist attack on his city the politician became a symbol of America's determination to recover from it.

He was attending the Buckingham Palace investiture today to receive his Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in recognition of his leadership.

He was being joined by New York Police Chief Bernard Kerik and the US city's Fire Chief, Thomas Von Essen, who are both collecting honorary CBEs.

The Queen, who is in mourning after the death of her sister Princess Margaret, decided to go ahead with her official engagements.

The honorary awards - Mr Giuliani may not style himself "Sir Rudolph" as he is not a British citizen but can use the letters KBE after his name - were made on October 15 on the recommendation of Prime Minister Tony Blair.